Yamaha mountain venom

wheels

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I rented one of these for the weekend last week. I had a few issues with it but the dealer didn’t have much info on the machine. Does anyone have experience with this machine? Is Climax still the Yamaha guru?
 

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The 400 venom mountain. The exhaust temp ran really hot but engine temp was ok. The clutching was off. Couldn’t get more than 6900-7000 rpm at 5500-7500ft elevation. Not sure what the rpm should be. Was also doggy off the bottom end. But dealer had no manuals or any charts on the machine as to what to run for weights.
 

NoBrakes!

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where can a guy rent this thing?

They're not too common yet, theres a few of us interested in them.
 

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ok, how much did the rider weigh? what was power like on the trail? I understand you had issues with high rpm but what about the rest of the time?
 

NoBrakes!

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I cant even find a pic of their clutch... I thought it was a CV tech unit no?


edit: its a cvtech trail block if youre looking for parts or tuning, I'd look there first.
 
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We ranged from 170lbs to 220lbs with are gear on. It was more responsive on the trail has decent power. My boy has a 2004 Rmk trail 550. Felt similar to that on the trail. It is very nimble and responds well to little body input. Riding it I really didn’t notice it being any smaller but beside a regular alpha it appeared smaller. I don’t know if the high exhaust temps were derating the ecm. It definitely has potential to be a fun sled but needs some tuning and trouble shooting. I found a forum on totally Yamaha and guys are having issues with high exhaust temps and codes so obviously there is issues. They cheaped out in the rear shocks definitely need an up grade there. Yamaha/cat are on to something they just needed to put some more time on it. SLP is working on a single pipe for it maybe they can get it working to potential.
 

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Curious? What made you Interested in renting the venom? Kinda a heavy crowd for what that sled is marketed for.

Rpm and shock issues may be due to it being set up for a lighter rider? I wanted to buy it for my 80 lbs 10 year old. I had to settle and buy the evo Rmk, It has exceeded my expectations.

I searched pretty hard to even get a sniff at a venom or blast, obviously I didn’t call sundry! It’s like you went for a ride on a unicorn !
 

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I rented it to see what it was all about. Doing more research on them it looks like they come clutched for sea level. As for the shocks on the back you can put one foot on the running board and bottom it out. we couldnt find any kind of adjustment on it. Your evo is probably the better sled i think. Once your kids get bigger Polaris has a kit to make it full size sled with full power. The dealer sells polaris to and told me his one customer has an evo and rented the venom did some comparing and drag racing said the evo was faster and more responsive. The price of the evo is better to.
 

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Good to know. I was planning on renting that sled in a couple weeks to do the same thing. Kinda wanted to see how my 110# wife would do on it compared to her 800 SKS. My 8 year old will be looking for a bigger sled soon enough and I was leaning toward the venom but now you've got me thinking maybe not. Would be interesting to see how it does when properly set up.
 

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It was $250 for the day. If you go to Totaly Yamaha 4stroke forum there is a section in there for Venom/Transporter. Lots of information on there about some issues and experince on the sleds. Also on snowest forum in the Arctic Cat section under Accender chassis there is a Blast section that has good first hand info on the Blast be worth the read. I would rent it if you are considering one. That way your wife and kids and yourself can get seat time to see if its a fit. The sled is over $13 grand new out the door so its a good way to see if you want to make that investment. Its good to form your own oppionion on your own experince. I think there is potential with the Venom to be a fun sled but being a brand new engine and sled there is some more testing and tuning to be done. I would like to try it after Yamaha sort out some issues.
 

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Sure...
 

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NoBrakes!

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mine is getting closer to the idea of AST 1 and joining me on a few trips eventually.
 
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